PurposeThis paper sets out to examine the relationship between the perceptions of the strategic value of e‐commerce and e‐commerce adoption among 107 owners/managers of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in a transitional economy, Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe membership of the top 100 Ghanaian businesses, called the Ghana Club 100 (GC 100), and non‐traditional exporters (NTEs) was surveyed using a structured questionnaire in face‐to‐face interviews. Principal axis factoring with varimax rotation was employed to identify and estimate the constructs in the model, followed by an exploratory factor analysis to test for the inclusion of all items in the model. Finally, canonical analysis was employed to study the interrelationships among the sets of multiple dependent and multiple independent variables. By so doing control for moderator effects existing among various variables was effected.FindingsOrganizational support was the strongest predictor on the perceived strategic value (PSV) construct, followed by managerial productivity, and decision aids. Perceived usefulness, compatibility, external pressure and organizational pressure were found to be statistically significant determinants of e‐commerce adoption. These findings are consistent with prior studies. Additionally, it was found that ease of use was also influential in the e‐commerce adoption decision of Ghanaian SMEs.Originality/valueThe study shows the value that SME owners/managers in a transitional economy place on e‐commerce, and the role envisaged for it. The study also provides an insight into the e‐commerce adoption in a transitional economy context. Owners/managers of SMEs in other developing countries may find the study useful in making decisions relating to e‐commerce adoption. The impact of the perceptions of e‐commerce and e‐commerce adoption on firm performance in transitional economies is a worthy area for future research. Replication of the study in other transitional economies is therefore warranted.

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This comparative study explores the relevance and applicability of the characteristics of entrepreneurs espoused in the western entrepreneurship literature to indigenous entrepreneurs. Using five South Pacific island countries as a case in point, the literature reviewed shows that culture impacts on the characteristics of entrepreneurs from these countries and accounts for differences between the characteristics of the Pacific island entrepreneurs and the characteristics found in the Western entrepreneurship literature. In the light of the influence of culture, perhaps a new list of characteristics that indigenous entrepreneurs in the South Pacific island countries would require to succeed is warranted. An integrative model of cultural dimension and characteristics of Pacific island entrepreneurs is provided. Propositions are advanced for the study of culture as a moderating influence on entrepreneurial characteristics elsewhere, especially indigenous entrepreneurs from developing countries.

PurposeThe goal of this paper is to examine the link between consumer ethnocentrism (CE) and the attitudes of two consumer groups to a buy local campaign in a transitioning economy, Slovakia.Design/methodology/approachUsing a structured questionnaire, data were collected from 211 non‐students at shopping malls in Banská Bystrica (non‐student group) and from 209 students at the University of Matej Bela, Banská Bystrica (student group) in Slovakia. Ethnocentrism was measured using the consumer ethnocentric tendencies scale (CETSCALE) while attitudinal statements were used to measure the attitudes toward locally made products and a buy local campaign. The attitudinal data were factor analysed and the correlations between the CETSCALE and the attitudinal statements were examined. Summative scales based on the factor analysis results were also developed.FindingsA significant finding of this paper is the role of the government and industry in encouraging Slovakians to buy local. The nonstudent consumers to be less ethnocentric than the student group are found. The attitudinal statements of both groups toward Slovakian products are generally similar.Originality/valueThis research was designed to contribute to the discussion of CE by linking it to attitudes to a buy local campaign in a transitioning country.